September 2012 Top 10 Best-Selling Cars In The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s auto industry produced collective gains of 8.2%, a surprisingly strong month in what’s always a high-volume time of year for UK new car sales. Both of the UK’s two best-selling cars posted year-over-year growth much better than the industry’s overall average.

Through the first three quarters of 2012, UK new vehicle sales are 4.3% stronger than they were in the first three quarters of 2011. Ford Fiesta sales jumped 15% over last year’s three-month total of 77,198 units. Year-over-year, sales of the Vauxhall Corsa, the Fiesta’s key rival, are up 19%, equal to 11,516 extra sales for GM’s British underling.

Ford Focus sales, meanwhile, have tumbled 5% this year. A year ago, the Focus was 6713 sales ahead of the Corsa. This year the Focus has fallen out of second place and is nearly 8000 sales behind the Corsa.

Both Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class and BMW’s 3-Series cracked the top seven in September UK car sales standings. The C-Class also outsold the 3er in the U.S. last month. Peugeot made its first appearance since March with the 207’s successor, the aptly named 208. The 207 ranked ninth in March and tenth in January.

Brand-by-brand rankings are coming up shortly. Key links to other editions of this list are clickable at the bottom of this post.